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Taxonomic name: Rubus niveus Thunb. Synonyms: Rubus pedunculosus D. Don, Rubus albescens Roxb., Rubus foliolosus D. Don, Rubus horsfieldii Miq., Rubus lasiocarpus Sm., Rubus micranthus D. Don Common names: Ceylon raspberry (English), frambuesa (Spanish), hill raspberry (English), hong pao ci teng (Chinese), Java bramble, kala hinsalu (Hindi-India), khiradi (Pahari-Chhota Bhangal of Western Himalaya), kolalinda (Tamil-India), komuli (Kannada-India), Mahabaleshwar raspberry (English-India), mbolinmomoniyl (Wola-Papua New Guinea), mora (Spanish), Mysore raspberry (English), Mysorehimbeere (German), pilai (Filipino-Philippines), pinit (Filipino-Philippines), snowpeaks raspberry Organism type: shrub Rubus niveus is a shrub native to Asia that may form dense, impenetrable, thorny thickets that can displace native species. It produces sweet, palatable fruit enjoyed by birds, rodents, reptiles and humans and has been cultivated in many regions throughout the world for this reason. It is also used as a living fence. Mechanical management of the species is difficult due to its growth form and persistent seedbank, but chemical methods have been developed and biological means of management are being explored. Description Rubus niveus is a large perennial shrub growing up to 4.5 metres in height that may form dense thickets of intertwining stems. The flexible, arching stems may be downy when young but become glabrous and glaucous at maturity. They are covered with sharp, hooked thorns 3-7mm long. The leaves are pinnately compound into 5-9 serrated, elliptic-ovate leaflets that are 2.5-6cm long and 2-5cm wide. The leaves are dark green and glaucous above and white tomentose below. The petiolules are approximately 0.1cm long and are covered with small prickles, as are the leaf rachises. The inflorescences are short, axillary or terminal panicles of 24 or more flowers, which are pink to rose purple. The 5-petaled flowers are approximately 1.25cm broad with petals of 4-5mm in length. The fruit of R. niveus is a subglobose aggregate of drupelets and is 1-2cm in diameter with a purple-black colour and fine bloom at maturity. It is juicy and sweet with small seeds, and may be produced throughout the year (Morton, 1987; PIER, 1999). Occurs in: agricultural areas, natural forests, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands Habitat description Rubus niveus is found in a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, forest edges, riparian habitats, and disturbed sites (PIER, 1999). In the Garhwal Himalaya it is found on north aspects in consociations of Betula utilis and Quercus semecarpifolia, as well as consociations of Quercus dilatata and silver fir (Osmaston, 1922). It has a large climatic range, and is found at altitudes from 450 to 3000 metres in its native Asia (Morton, 1987). The species prefers well-drained soil, and may grow in either full or partial sun conditions (Plants For a Future, 2004). It can tolerate light freezes, but prolonged freezing temperatures will likely kill it (Morton, 1987). General impacts Rubus niveus may be invasive and overrun native species. It forms dense, impenetrable, thorny thickets which may take over forest, shrubland, and areas of open vegetation. It is said to be "one of the worst weeds threatening the Galapagos National Park" (Rentería et al. 2006). Uses The fruits of Rubus niveus are consumed by birds, rodents, and humans (PIER, 1999) and tortoises. The plant is cultivated throughout the world for its heavy production of sweet fruit (Morton, 1987; Plants For a Future, 2004), which is composed of approximately 7.8% sugar, 0.13% protein, and 0.77% ash (Plants For a Future, 2004). Humans eat the fruits fresh and make them into jams, wine, and candies (PCARRD, 1996). Additionally, the fruit may be used to create a purple to dull blue dye (Plants For a Future, 2004). Fresh root tips of the species are used to cure excessive bleeding during menses in Chhota Bhangal of Western Himalaya (Uniyal et al., 2006). The species has also been planted to make living fences in the agricultural zones in Galapagos. Notes A second form of the species is known from the Hawaiian Island Maui, and is distinguished by light pink petals and dark red to purple stems (Starr et al. 2003). R. niveus may be preyed upon by the 2-spotted mite Tetranychus bimaculatus and the green stink bug Nezara viridula, as well as be infected with Anthracnose, Elsinoe veneta, at the end of the fruiting season (Morton, 1987). It is also susceptible to the Aphis rubicola- trasmitted raspberry leaf curl luteovirus, which is identified by leaf curling and stunting and small, crumbly fruits (Brunt et al. 1996). Geographical range Native range: Rubus niveus is native to India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan to southeastern Asia (China, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, Thailand), Indonesia, and the Phillipines (USDA, ARS, 2007; PIER, 1999). Known introduced range: R. niveus is found in south-eastern Africa, southern North America through Northern South America and Galapagos, and areas of Australasia including Tasmania and the Hawaiian Islands. Introduction pathways to new locations Nursery trade: Introduced into new regions because of the edibility of its fruit. In Hawai'i, Rubus niveus is spread long distances in the horticulture trade (Starr et al. 2003). Local dispersal methods Consumption/excretion: Humans, birds, and other organisms consume the fruit and excrete its seeds in other areas. Rubus species are known to be spread by fruit eating birds and mammals. It is likely that R. niveus is spread by animals as well (Starr et al. 2003) Garden escape/garden waste: Intentional release: Introduced into new regions because of the edibility of its fruit (Rentería et al. 2006). Management information Mechanical: Mechanical control of Rubus niveus is difficult because the entire plant must be thoroughly removed to prevent regeneration. This is typically only successful when the plants are still small seedlings. The cutting back of plants may also be used as an initial step to chemical control (Starr et al. 2003). Chemical: Motooka et al. (2003) found triclopyr ester in a crop oil carrier (either as drizzle applications at 1 lb./acre or as very low volume basal bark applications at a 15% concentration) to be successful in the management of R. niveus. They note that the species is supposidly resistant to triclopyr ester when water is the carrier. Applications of a 2% Roundup solution are suggested by the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (Renteria et al., 2006). More recently solutions of picloram have been found to be more persitant. Biological: The use of fungal pathogens for biological control of R. niveus is being explored, with Phragmidium barclayi Dietel, Phragmidium himalense J.Y. Zhuang, Phragmidium octoloculare Barclay, Phragmidium shogranense Petr., and Pseucercospora sp. having been identified as fungal pathogens from the species' native range (Ellison and Barreto, 2004). Cultural: Alternative control methods are being trialled in Galapagos using species that prevent seed bank germination and reduce establishemtn. Introduced pasture such as Urochloa maximum, other Urochloa spp, and Pennisetum purpureum are useful. Coffee (Coffea arabica) is also being trialled. Reproduction Rubus niveus reproduces sexually through the production of thousands of seeds per bush per year (Renteria et al, 2006) as well as vegetatively (Starr et al. 2003). Lifecycle stages The seeds of Rubus niveus are dormant until they are stratified for at least three months in the soil, and they may remain viable for many years in the seedbank. Germination of the species is high in appropriate environmental conditions, and the species may flower and fruit within 3 to 6 months following germination (Renteria et al, 2006). Reviewed by: Dr Rachel Atkinson, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Forest Starr and Kim Starr, Botanical Research Associates United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division Makawao, Maui, Hawaii USA Chris Buddenhagen Hawaii Invasive Species Council Coordinator Honolulu, Hawaii USA Principal sources: Rentería, Jorge Luis; Rachel Atkinson, Ana Mireya Guerrero, Johanna Mader 2006. Manual de Identification y Manejo de Malezas en las Islas Galápagos. Segunda edición, Fundación Charles Darwin, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador. Morton, J. 1987. Mysore Raspberry. p. 109–110. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) 1999. Rubus niveus Thunb., Rosaceae. Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Friday, 25 January 2008